"PhD Position on Mechanochemistry for Soft Matter Imaging"

Join us to create new smart molecules for imaging of complex mechanics.

Soft matter such as polymers and hydrogels are incredibly versatile materials. Their use in metamaterials and bio-implants often puts them under mechanically challenging conditions and understanding their material mechanics in real time remains a major challenge. In this project you will work on developing new chemistry for visualising the mechanical phenomena in soft matter.

Working closely with experts in mechanics, we are developing robust imaging and sensing techniques which can “report” internal stresses directly through imaging. In this PhD project, you will combine synthetic, characterization and imaging tools to understand how chemistry-based imaging connects to continuum mechanics and allows us to characterize and improve high performance soft materials.

Your role:

• Develop chemical and physical understanding of chemistry-driven mechanosensitive imaging.
• Develop experimental approaches for imaging-based characterization of soft matter.
• Collaborate across disciplines to push the boundaries of soft matter research.

What we offer:

• A 4-year PhD position at TU Delft.
• The opportunity to lead a pioneering project at the intersection of mechanics, materials, and machine learning.
• Collaboration with international experts from diverse disciplines.
• Access to cutting-edge computational and experimental facilities.
• Supervision of MSc researchers.
• Mentorship and career development support.

This position is jointly embedded in the research groups of Dr. Sid Kumar (Mechanics, Materials, and Computing group) and Dr. Georgy Filonenko (Functional Polymers and Sensors group).

Research group of Dr. Georgy Filonenko: Functional Polymers and Sensors group.

Research group of Dr. Sid Kumar: Mechanics, Materials, and Computing group.

Job requirements:

• Master’s degree in chemistry or chemical engineering, materials science, physics or a related field.
• Experience in synthetic organic/materials chemistry.
• Experience with optics and imaging is highly appreciated.
• Basic programming skills (e.g., Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Enthusiasm for hands-on experimental work (e.g., synthesis and device fabrication).
• Drive to tackle interdisciplinary challenges and communicate across fields.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.